What is memory foam and why is so important in the world of mattresses? Memory foam is a material that is used to make mattresses in a box, pillows, and other items. It can be made of natural or synthetic materials. A type of polyurethane plastic called viscoelastic polyurethane foam was developed in the 1960s by NASA for use as seat cushioning. The material was then adapted for medical purposes before it became popular with sleepers because of its comfort, support, and ability to relieve pressure points on the body.
Memory foam can help provide relief from pain caused by arthritis or joint problems due to its conforming abilities which reduce pressure on painful areas while also providing support where needed and that’s why so many mattress in a box providers make use of this material in their mattresses.
What is memory foam made of?
Memory foam is a very soft type of plastic that conforms to your body and provides support. The material has been known as viscoelastic, meaning it will return to its original state after pressure from the body is removed. This makes it ideal for those looking for relief from pain or discomfort because it moulds to your body’s shape, ensuring proper support and pressure relief.
How does memory foam work?
Memory foam was once only used in the health care industry for patients with special needs but has since become popular among consumers who are looking for a comfortable mattress that helps relieve pain or discomfort due to arthritis or other joint issues. This is because memory foam creates a comfortable and pain-free sleeping surface by moulding to the sleeper’s body.
The material helps keep your spine in alignment, reduce pressure on painful areas of the body while simultaneously distributing weight evenly for optimal comfort so you’ll wake up feeling refreshed instead of stiff or sore.
Are memory foam mattresses too hot?
Some people are concerned that memory foam causes a warm or hot bed and for those living in warmer climates such as NT or WA, you may find a memory foam mattress is too hot in comparison with a traditional springed mattress, as there’s less area for the warm air to escape, and cooler area to come in. Even those that are moving to a memory foam mattress for the first time, may notice this increase in sleeping temperature. If you love a cold bed, then this may not be the material of choice for you.
This is why mattress companies are constantly bending the rules and tinkering with their mattresses to offer the best features over the competition. Emma Sleep for example has a new version called Diamond ACT Hybrid which stands for Active Cooling Technology, where millions of graphite particles in the foam, work hard to get rid of heart for a better night’s sleep. In hotter climates, spending a bit extra on such a mattress over the original mattress would be money well spent in my opinion.
Can you adjust the firmness of memory foam?
It’s a common question and the answer is, yes you can but it comes at a cost, often too high for the average mattress buyer. Memory foam mattresses that allow customisation of the firmness usually involves buying replacement blocks or layers that are inserted into the mattress lining. This requires additional material, along with the effort involved with doing this.
Different mattress in a box providers offer different level of firmness levels, so it may pay to shop around and find the best one for you. Memory foam is a lot less firm a pocket spring mattress, so choosing a firmer memory foam mattress would be the best option if you’re concerned about this. Those that love a deep sleep, moulded into a mattress should choose a less firm memory foam mattress.
Do memory foam mattresses wear out easily?
Another factor you need to consider is how often does the mattress wear out? As mentioned, some memory foam mattresses can be replaced with additional layers or blocks. However, this will only work if your mattress still has life in it and is not so old that replacement parts are no longer available for your particular model of bed.
Most manufacturers of memory foam mattresses give a 10-25 year warranty period, allowing you to swap your mattress at any time if the memory foam wears out.
Equally, they give you a 100-120 night trial, to ensure you’re happy with your purchase, which gives you ample time to test it out and ensure the quality of your memory foam mattress is high and won’t wear out easily.